The Knuckle-Up Newsletter

HIDDEN VISUAL PROBLEMS POST ANEURYSM Often visual problems resulting from a stroke or brain aneurysm are overlooked during initial this issue treatment of the injury. Frequently these problems are hidden and neglected, lengthening and impairing rehabilitation. Vision is the most important source of sensory information. Consisting of Page 1 a sophisticated complex of subsystems, the visual process involves the flow and processing of Visual Impairments with Brain information to the brain. Because there is a close relationship between vision and the brain, a traumatic brain injury can disrupt the visual process, interfering with the flow and processing of Injury information. The result is a vision problem. Symptoms indicating a vision problem are: Page 2 Blurred Vision Memory Difficulty New Foundation Board Sensitivity to Light Double Vision Reading Difficulties Aching Eyes Understanding Brain Changes Comprehension Difficulty Headaches with Visual Tasks Page 3 Attention Difficulty Loss of Visual Field

Hospital Care Good visual skills are necessary for efficient information processing. When processing visual Support Group information is difficult, one may "try harder,“ straining without even knowing it because the effort is subconscious. If the visual system is inefficient, every task can seem difficult, using more energy Announcements than required. Visual skills affected by a stroke, aneurysm or AVM include:

Inspire Tracking: Binocularity: Page 4 The ability of the eye to move smoothly Using both eyes together as a team, across a printed page or while following smoothly and effectively Fantasy Camp a moving object. Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day Fixation: Maintaining Attention: Niekro Receives Walk of Fame Quickly and accurately locating and Keeping focused on a particular Honor inspecting a series of stationary objects, activity while interference, such such as words while reading. as noise, is present Board of Directors Focus Change: Visualization: Contact Us Looking quickly from far to near and back Accurately picturing images and without blur retaining them for future recall

Depth Perception: Near Vision Acuity: Judging relative distances of objects - Clearly seeing, inspecting, identifying how far or near they are. & understanding objects viewed within arm’s length. Peripheral Vision: Monitoring and interpreting what is Distance Acuity: happening in the surrounding field of Clearly seeing, inspecting, identifying vision smoothly, equally and accurately and understanding objects viewed at a distance. Vision Perception: Understanding what is seen

JOE NIEKRO FOUNDATION WELCOMES NEW BOARD MEMBER Kimberly Chapman joins TJNF Board of Directors as Patient Advocacy Director and Support Group Administrator. Kimberly’s professional experience consists of 20+ years in management and entrepreneurship of several successful businesses. She led corporate business development, serving on the Board of Redevelopment and Restoration Committee in Windsor, California where she was awarded the prestige honor of Board Director of the Year. In 2004, Kimberly suffered two ruptured brain aneurysms and soon recognized the need for brain aneurysm advocacy and other types of vascular malformations of the brain. Kimberly understands the importance of brain aneurysm medical advancements and has centered her primary focus to providing support to the medical community, newly diagnosed, survivors, family members, and the general public on the facts, treatment options, and recovery process. Welcome to our team Kimberly.

THE KEY TO UNDERSTANDING It can be difficult for family members to understand SHARE YOUR CHANGES THAT RESULT the cognitive and behavioral changes that often STORY! FROM BRAIN INJURY persist after a traumatic brain aneurysm or stroke. We want to hear Individuals with brain injury are customarily referred for a neuropsychological assessment during the process of rehabilitation. The referral may be ordered by the attending your stories! If you neurologist or physiatrist. Physicians do various evaluations; for example, a neurologist would like to share evaluates the central nervous system at all levels without comprehensive and specific your personal findings to determine the presence of dysfunction. The neuropsychological assessment is a testimonial with us, specialized task oriented evaluation of human brain behavior relationships. It relies upon the use of standardized testing methods to evaluate higher cortical functioning as well as basic click here.. Your sensory motor processes. story will inspire The most important reason to see a neuropsychologist is to get a clear picture of what is others so join us in happening to you after a brain injury. A neuropsychologist is a specialist in brain-behavior connecting with relationships. He or she tests the brain to find out 1) What areas of the brain have been injured and 2) How the injury is impacting your ability to function. others! The neuropsychological assessment establishes a baseline of how your brain is functioning. This gives your treatment team a clear way to see your progress as you go through your recovery. The neuropsychologist recommends a brain injury rehabilitation plan based on these findings. TEXT TO GIVE! Want to make a quick and Seeing a neuropsychologist does NOT mean you have a mental illness easy donation with the simple click of a button? A neuropsychological assessment soon after injury will be fairly brief, lasting from one to two hours. As a person progresses through rehabilitation, a more thorough assessment may be done, which will look for ongoing problems that may affect the person in daily life. This Text evaluation lasts from three to six hours. The neuropsychological assessment looks at brain- STRIKEOUT behavior relationships and tests a variety of functions, such as:

to 20222 Memory Ability to communicate By doing so, you will be Attention span making a $10 donation to Decision-making brain aneurysm research, The neuropsychological assessment is a key piece of the puzzle that explains how damage treatment and awareness. in the brain affects the way an individual with brain injury thinks, acts and deals with life in general. This information must be known by all who know and love the individual to ensure that life after brain injury, although never the same, is worth living.

For more information on neurological assessments, click here.

Use the iGive.com shopping portal for your online purchases and a portion of every purchase is donated to TJNF. Over 900 participating stores, so next time SNOBALLS IN SEASON you shop online, do it at iGive.com. With the season WHAT SHOULD I DO WITH MY coming to an end, make the final LOVED ONE IN THE HOSPITAL? Click here to stretch count by taking part in a Communication is vital-with your find out about Joe Niekro Foundation Snoball, loved one and with health care our Local a free platform that allows you to professionals. Chapters follow your favorite teams to Tell your loved one you are there. victory, while earning $1 for the Give love and comfort. foundation each time your Keep a notebook-write down all favorite team wins. To get things information from doctors, nurses, Thank you to the Raleigh Chapter for your commitment and continued dedication to our mission. started, we’ve created a Snoball social workers, and other for each team that Joe Niekro professionals. The hospital social Shown here, Foundation Secretary and Raleigh Support Group Facilitator, Janie Schaeffer (2nd from played for during his 22 year worker can help you understand the MLB career. So the more information you are receiving from left) with Lazaro Gonzales MHS PA-C, aneurysm survivor Megan Dorty and Alex Kotch members in a snoball, the more the medical team. money raised each time that Many people have emotional changes after brain injury. These changes may be more occurrence takes place! It’s Easy and It’s Fun, so join us as noticeable to your family and friends than to you, especially at first. Counseling helps we create the biggest SNOBALL survivors and family members adjust to the changes that may occur after the brain in history! trauma and can make your rehabilitation easier-for you and for your family. If you or someone you love has experienced a brain aneurysm, stroke, AVM or FMD, consider Join the Chicago Cubs taking part in one of our support groups. These groups offer love, friendship, guidance and support for those dealing with the post effects of these brain injuries. To find out Snoball more about our Support Groups Locations, click here. Join the San Diego Padres Snoball IOWA CHAPTER ANNOUNCES

SUPPORT GROUP Join the Detroit Tigers The first Iowa Chapter support group Snoball meeting has been planned for October The Joe Niekro Foundation has 13, 2012. It will be held at Trinity partnered with Team Inspire to create an Regional Medical Center in Fort Dodge, environment where patients and Join the in Atrium Room 1-A. Registration will be caregivers can safely and privately share Snoball from 9-9:30 and the meeting will go until information about their health and the noon. This time will be to introduce the health of their loved ones. The Joe Join the Iowa Chapter and The Joe Niekro Niekro Foundation Inspire Page allows Foundation, discuss the purpose of the you to: Snoball support group, pass out information and 1) Make friends who share your interests let attendees share their stories. For 2) Join in health discussions Join the New York more information, please contact 3) Learn about conditions and treatments Yankees Snoball [email protected] or important to you. [email protected]. We are excited to get this group going and Visit The Joe Niekro Foundation Inspire Join the Minnesota Twins look forward to supporting the Fort Dodge Page and connect with people like Snoball community. yourself.

NIEKRO TO RECEIVE A WALK OF FAME STAR The Houston Astros Baseball Club will honor Joe Niekro with a chosen star on their new Walk of Fame at Minute Maid Park in Houston, TX. This esteemed honor is part of a program honoring the great players who have contributed to the success of the Houston franchise. The unveiling ceremony will take place on Friday August 17th, where Natalie Niekro and her brother Lance will be present to watch as their father’s name is cemented as part of Houston Astros history. The 2nd Annual Joe Niekro date of the ceremony falls on another celebration, Natalie’s birthday. “The Astros just gave me one Foundation Fantasy of the best birthday gifts ever, second only to the day when they retire Dad’s #36 and everyone Camp is Just Around can see it hanging from the raptors in right field,” states Natalie. the Corner TAMPA BAY RAYS HOST BRAIN ANEURYSM AWARENESS DAY September 23-28 – Las On August 25th, The Tampa Bay Rays will host “Brain Aneurysm Awareness Day” at Vegas, NV Tropicana Field on August 25, 2012. Attending will be, President and Founder of The Joe Niekro You don’t want to miss this Foundation, Joe’s daughter, Natalie, with a special on field ceremony prior to the game. Natalie will opportunity to learn the be joined by her brother, former Major League 1st Baseman and foundation Board Member, Lance subtle nuances of the game Niekro as we pay tribute to the Niekro Family. From 12:30P thru the 2nd inning, a special from Hall of Fame greats autograph signing session will take place with Tampa Bay alumni Toby Hall, joined by Lance Niekro and former MLB All-Stars. and others to be named soon. During this time fans can receive a Wanna Get Lucky? t-shirt signed Don’t miss the chance to by the players for a minimum donation of $20. Throughout the game, fans will also be encouraged play with the Legends – get to text the word Strikeout to 20222 and make a $10 donation to The Joe Niekro Foundation. It is signed up today with great pleasure that the Tampa Bay Rays bring this public awareness campaign to Tropicana Field and we are excited to be a part of this special day. Click here to subscribe to the Knuckle-Up Newsletter

Board of Directors President- Natalie Niekro Vice President - Gary Simms Treasurer - Larry Simon The Joe Niekro Foundation was established in 2007 in Secretary - Janie Schaeffer honor of the founder’s father, Joe Niekro, who lost his Board Chairman - Dave Bergman Suzanne Antonelli life from a sudden ruptured brain aneurysm on October George Baylor 27, 2006. The astonishing lack of public awareness and Enos Cabell under-support of research of such a widespread and Kimberly Chapman often fatal condition led to the launch of a crusade to Daniel Glazer educate and encourage awareness about aneurysms. Lance Niekro Frances Saplis The Joe Niekro Foundation is committed to aiding in Luke Woosley the research and treatment of aneurysm patients and families. Our goal is to raise awareness about aneurysm factors, causes, treatments and Medical Advisory Board research. All funds are used to educate the public about brain Gavin Britz, M.D., MPH aneurysms, to support patients and families, and to develop awareness Robert D. Brown, Jr, M.D., MPH programs and educational materials for hospitals, treatment centers and Orlando Diaz, M.D. Chris Foley, M.D. neurological institutions worldwide and conduct research that will Robert G. Grossman, M.D. translate directly to improved patient outcomes. Hani Haykal, M.D. Richard P. Klucznik, M.D. Italio Linfante, M.D. Corporate Office Kristin M. Mascotti, M.D. The Joe Niekro Foundation Nedaa Skeik, M.D. PO Box 2876 Michael Ulrich, M.D. Scottsdale, AZ 85252-2876 Ronald E. Woosley, M.D. Phone - 602-318-1013 Y. Jonathan Zhang, M.D. [email protected]